BARANGAY Ginebra may have seen its win streak in the PBA Philippine Cup get snapped on Friday night with a loss to Meralco at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
But almost 70 kilometers north of Cubao, Quezon City, “Gi-ne-bra!” victory chants were heard at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
After all, Gilas Pilipinas Youth’s conquest of the Fiba U16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers at the expense of Indonesia, 70-40, in the finale had “Ginebra” written all over it.
READ: Gilas Youth rules Seaba U16 qualifiers with masterful win over Indonesia
Batang Gilas is led by recently deactivated Ginebra veteran guard LA Tenorio, who has Ginebra deputies at his disposal and runs a system almost identical to that of Gin Kings coach Tim Cone.
Among the Ginebra staff on loan to the national youth team are lead assistant coach Richard del Rosario, assistant coach Patrick Partosa, trainer Paul Mendoza, physiotherapist Arcee Cua, and utility staff Richard Marcos and Junjun Atienza.
Tenorio is proud to be a bridge from the youth to the seniors’ level – all under the supervision of Ginebra governor and Gilas program director Alfrancis Chua.
“That was the plan from the start,” Tenorio said. “Not only for Ginebra but also for the Gilas Men's. Yun yung make sure ko na yung sistema is parallel or vertical or ano ba tawag yun, naka-align sa men's.”
“And whether we win or not, as long as we do the same system and we develop players, we'll be okay,” he added.
Rounding out Tenorio’s non-Ginebra staff are his former Gilas teammate and fellow PBA player-coach Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and Del Rosario’s son, Josh, as video coordinator.
The elder Del Rosario didn’t mind juggling Gilas and Ginebra duties in the buildup to the regional qualifiers to the Fiba U16 Asia Cup in August in Mongolia.
“Tough rin kasi nung nagpe-prepare kami, twice-a-day practices, medyo gabi na rin nakakauwi dahil gabi yung practice ng mga bata because of their class. But very fulfilling naman kasi naga-guide mo yung bata at the young stage of their careers,” Cone’s top deputy said.
“Iba yung fulfillment. Iba yung saya.”
“Pasalamat ako sa Ginebra, kina boss Al, boss RSA, kay coach Tim na pinayagan ako na tumulong dito kay LA,” he added. “Right now, start pa lang ng program, so hopefully magtuloy-tuloy yung improvement ng Batang Gilas.”
Tenorio can already see glimpses of Ginebra’s defensive identity under Cone translating to the national youth team.
“I think defensively, being defensive fundamentals, yun ang key to success sa tournament namin, na kinuha ko talaga doon sa Ginebra at sa Men's. So, offensively, I mean, anything can, kasi lahat yan mga talented na eh, kaya nga natin kinuha, di ba? But, I think yung defensive mindset ng mga bata, yun ang sa tingin ko magpapapanalo.”
It took just a small sacrifice in the club for a bigger purpose for country.
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